Team USA thrills local fans

Team USA's Skye Bolt poses for a picture with Atalie McCannon (left) and Jaden McCannon. At right, Team USA's Matt Chapman signs an autograph.

Photo by Kristy Queen

BY JASON QUEENThe Dispatch

Published: Tuesday, July 2, 2013 at 9:32 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, July 2, 2013 at 9:32 p.m.

THOMASVILLE | HiToms president Greg Suire promised fans an up close and personal experience with the best amateur baseball players in the country over the weekend.

Team USA delivered.

Led by home-state heroes Carlos Rodon, Skye Bolt and Trea Turner, the USA National Collegiate Baseball Team played a two-game set against the HiToms at Finch Field. Team USA won both games — a 5-2 decision Saturday and a rain-soaked 3-2 nailbiter Sunday — but the games themselves took a backseat to the real featured attraction. The players, many of whom will be selected early in next year's Major League draft, granted every autograph and picture request presented to them by the throngs of fans who came out for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

The biggest crowds, of course, formed around Rodon, Turner and Bolt. Fans in recent weeks watched Rodon and Turner lead N.C. State to the College World Series, where they were eliminated by Bolt and North Carolina. And the trio was more than gracious, interacting with young fans for as long as necessary before and after each game.

Turner said the hometown hero treatment got the threesome a little bit of ribbing from teammates, who included Vanderbilt ace Tyler Beede and Indiana catcher Tyler Schwarber. "Yeah, a lot of the guys on the team are giving us a little crap for it," Turner said with a smile. "But it's nice to have all the fans come out and support us.

"It's great every time I come up to bat, I get a decent cheer; I know the people have my back. I'm glad it's that way, and I've had a chance to play in front of some of my fans. It's been fun."

The big question on every fan's mind throughout the weekend seemed to be whether they would get to see Rodon pitch. Considered the top pick in next year's draft, the rising junior became a dominant left-handed starter for the Wolfpack the last two seasons. Rodon wowed the fans who arrived extremely early Saturday with a bullpen session, but he didn't make his Team USA debut until Monday in Hickory. UCLA closer David Berg didn't arrive with the team until Sunday; his teammates joked Saturday he was "still celebrating" the Bruins' national championship.

And, although he certainly has the talent to back it up, there was one name that seemed to stand out above the others throughout the weekend: Skye Bolt. A Tar Heel, a top-notch player, and a name worthy of a rock star, Bolt had hundreds of eyes on him everywhere he went all weekend.

Like Turner, he enjoyed the week-long swing through the Tar Heel state with Team USA; they played games in Wilson and Wilmington before the series in Thomasville.

Bolt said representing his country was a huge honor. "It's definitely a great opportunity to be playing with 24 of the best guys in the country," he said. "You come into an opportunity like this looking to make an impact and contribute, and just soak up all the talent around you and all the experiences you're about to see.

"This has been a great honor, and it's a dream come true to represent your country. You've just got to leave it all out there, and realize this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

Like Turner, he seemed to enjoy the star treatment. "One thing my parents always taught me, and I've begun to realize is that all 24 of us were in their position once," he said. "You've just got to take a step back and drink it all in. You never know if you're gonna get this opportunity again."

Local fans probably won't have another opportunity like this again any time soon. Suire compared the visit to the Major League teams in the 1960s that would barnstorm. But the young fans on hand this weekend certainly had never had a chance to watch some of their favorite players in such an intimate setting. For two days this weekend, they had the chance, and they took full advantage.

Jason Queen can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 220 or jason.queen@the-dispatch.com.

<p>THOMASVILLE | HiToms president Greg Suire promised fans an up close and personal experience with the best amateur baseball players in the country over the weekend.</p><p>Team USA delivered.</p><p>Led by home-state heroes Carlos Rodon, Skye Bolt and Trea Turner, the USA National Collegiate Baseball Team played a two-game set against the HiToms at Finch Field. Team USA won both games — a 5-2 decision Saturday and a rain-soaked 3-2 nailbiter Sunday — but the games themselves took a backseat to the real featured attraction. The players, many of whom will be selected early in next year's Major League draft, granted every autograph and picture request presented to them by the throngs of fans who came out for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.</p><p>The biggest crowds, of course, formed around Rodon, Turner and Bolt. Fans in recent weeks watched Rodon and Turner lead N.C. State to the College World Series, where they were eliminated by Bolt and North Carolina. And the trio was more than gracious, interacting with young fans for as long as necessary before and after each game.</p><p>Turner said the hometown hero treatment got the threesome a little bit of ribbing from teammates, who included Vanderbilt ace Tyler Beede and Indiana catcher Tyler Schwarber. "Yeah, a lot of the guys on the team are giving us a little crap for it," Turner said with a smile. "But it's nice to have all the fans come out and support us.</p><p>"It's great every time I come up to bat, I get a decent cheer; I know the people have my back. I'm glad it's that way, and I've had a chance to play in front of some of my fans. It's been fun."</p><p>The big question on every fan's mind throughout the weekend seemed to be whether they would get to see Rodon pitch. Considered the top pick in next year's draft, the rising junior became a dominant left-handed starter for the Wolfpack the last two seasons. Rodon wowed the fans who arrived extremely early Saturday with a bullpen session, but he didn't make his Team USA debut until Monday in Hickory. UCLA closer David Berg didn't arrive with the team until Sunday; his teammates joked Saturday he was "still celebrating" the Bruins' national championship.</p><p>And, although he certainly has the talent to back it up, there was one name that seemed to stand out above the others throughout the weekend: Skye Bolt. A Tar Heel, a top-notch player, and a name worthy of a rock star, Bolt had hundreds of eyes on him everywhere he went all weekend.</p><p>Like Turner, he enjoyed the week-long swing through the Tar Heel state with Team USA; they played games in Wilson and Wilmington before the series in Thomasville.</p><p>Bolt said representing his country was a huge honor. "It's definitely a great opportunity to be playing with 24 of the best guys in the country," he said. "You come into an opportunity like this looking to make an impact and contribute, and just soak up all the talent around you and all the experiences you're about to see.</p><p>"This has been a great honor, and it's a dream come true to represent your country. You've just got to leave it all out there, and realize this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."</p><p>Like Turner, he seemed to enjoy the star treatment. "One thing my parents always taught me, and I've begun to realize is that all 24 of us were in their position once," he said. "You've just got to take a step back and drink it all in. You never know if you're gonna get this opportunity again."</p><p>Local fans probably won't have another opportunity like this again any time soon. Suire compared the visit to the Major League teams in the 1960s that would barnstorm. But the young fans on hand this weekend certainly had never had a chance to watch some of their favorite players in such an intimate setting. For two days this weekend, they had the chance, and they took full advantage.</p><p>Jason Queen can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 220 or jason.queen@the-dispatch.com.</p>